Misfortune Cookies

When the Fat Ladies Sing, Book 1

De: Linda Kozar

Narrado por: Caroline Miller

Best friends Sue Jan and Lovita run a beauty shop/boutique in the little West Texas town of Wachita. They share a passion of food and fun. But one day, over lunch in a Chinese restaurant, Lovita opens a fortune cookie with a sinister message: "Your father was murdered..." - a clue that leads them to God, an international spy ring and several devastatingly handsome strangers. A most unlikely pair of detectives, these girlfriends "Comb" the countryside with style, sarcasm, and lots of Szechwan.

This tale is like good take-out food - definitely worth bringing home.

©2008, 2012 Linda P. Kozar (P)2015 Linda Kozar

A cozy southern mystery ...

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Lovita. She is someone who is down to earth and has a good head on her shoulders. She is a good balance to the vivaciousness that is Sue Jan.

What does Caroline Miller bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ms. Miller has found her niche in the genre of the "Cozy Mystery". Ms. Miller's pacing, emotions and ability to give each character their own voice makes for a pleasant story. Her narration kept me coming back for more!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Lovita's worry and concern when Sue Jan went missing. Just before that scene the ladies had had words and you could tell that even tho they were fighting, Lovita and Sue Jan would always be the best of friends.

Any additional comments?

Misfortune Cookies is the first in the "When the Fat Ladies Sing" cozy mystery series. Here we meet Lovita and Sue Jan who not only share a house but work together too. Their love of food is also great. They live in a small town in Texas and we see the Southern Charm in them both. While I wouldn't classify this book as a Christian mystery, church is a big part of Lovita's life.

I would recommend this book to all of my friends who enjoy a cozy mystery. Ages 15+

Fat but Feisty

Not the most riveting of mysteries, but it is quite humorous in parts. Lolita and Sue Jan, the two leading ladies, head a jolly romp which reads more like an old time farce, from food in the face to high jinx in the beauty shop. Sue Jan is quite a character, too flashy according to Lovita, but you have to admire a woman who carries a Trim Schnoz in her handbag! The mystery itself doesn't take much solving, but it's a cozy, so it's all about the ride, full of good clean fun! Can't say I liked the chapter headings though.

One thing puzzles me, why isn't this book categorised as Christian? I mean, it is dedicated to Jesus, that should have been a hint right? Audible puts it in the Modern Detective genre, while Amazon Books choose Culinary Cozy, and Kindle chooses both the Mystery and Young Adult genres. A bit of a mystery in itself.

Narrator
Narrated by Caroline Miller who captures the characters perfectly, especially the somewhat excitable Sue Jan! Oh, and I loved the "Jesus" ladies they were spot on. Pacing, timing and the vitality that Caroline brings to the story make it a really enjoyable listening experience.
This audiobook was provided by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Cute Southern Mystery with Romance Sprinkled In

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It's a cute, quick listen. The narrator is good and does southern accents well. Sue Jan is a bit irritating but like most bff's, she grows on you as she grows as a person.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Misfortune Cookies?

The Chinese fortune cookie escapades cracked me up.

What about Caroline Miller’s performance did you like?

Her accents are great.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Misfortune Cookies

Any additional comments?

I've decided that 'Cozy Mysteries ' may not be for me.I found this book full of stereotyped characters,not so funny incidents that others must have thought were funny and not much of a story.I found Caroline Millers narrations rather annoying."I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast or MalarHouse dot com"

Glad I didn't start with this one

I started this series with book three and decided to go back to the beginning. I am glad I started with book three. Book One needs a lot of work. Sue Jan is a terrible person, and the Christian themes are very in your face. It was not this way with the third book in the series.

I get someone redeeming themselves, but Sue Jan was horrible, and people just let her. How in the world does the author expect us to believe Monroe is in love with her when he is such a giving and kind person. I just don’t buy him following for a shrew. This part of the book really took the book down a notch for me. I also never really felt like Lovita and Sue Jan were partners in solving the crime. It was more of Lovita and Monroe. I also didn’t really buy the insta-love with Lovita and Hudson. We didn’t even get to know his character.

All of this may have been less obvious if the mystery had been remotely engaging. I just didn’t really care and thought the link to Lovita’s father was too little too late. I just found this whole book exasperating and very hard to finish. Now I’m leery to listen to book two.